House debates Questions without Notice
Cybercrime
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
2:47 pm
I thank the member for Warringah for her question, and I think she very accurately puts forward the characterisation of the impact of these deepfake videos. They did have an impact on Senator Lambie, encouraging the sorts of violent threats which we've seen become far too prevalent. One is one too many, it must be said. But we are seeing, across the political spectrum, increased threats, particularly towards women in this place, whether it be in the House or the Senate. I know that the member is so concerned about this, as are, I'm sure, members right across the spectrum. But, increasingly, as well, it must be said that it's not just about politicians, of course; it's people right across the board seeing these deepfakes, and it's hard. There are videos of people standing outside Parliament House making statements that aren't them, and that distorts fact from fiction, and that is a huge issue.
I take these issues very seriously and so does the government. The digital duty of care is, in part, aimed at addressing these issues. We need to make sure that new technology works in the interests of people and that it promotes or is at least as neutral on social cohesion—that it doesn't break down social cohesion and cause division and cause anger and cause disruption. I'll ask the Attorney-General, who's the Acting Minister for Communications, but I make this pledge to the member for Warringah and anyone else as well: I want to work across the parliament on these issues. I've had discussions, including with members opposite there. The member for Groom and I had an informal discussion yesterday about the impact of these new technologies. I know that this concerns people right across the parliament. The Attorney-General.
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